Abstract
The human neuromedulloblastoma cell line TE671 is shown by single-channel recordings to express nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) that are blocked by alpha-bungarotoxin (alpha Bgt). These AChRs do not react with antisera to the alpha Bgt-binding protein of brain or with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to brain nicotinic AChRs that do not bind alpha Bgt. TE671 AChRs do react with autoantibodies to muscle AChRs from myasthenia gravis patients and with mAbs to muscle AChRs, including mAbs specific for extrajunctional AChRs. AChRs. AChRs purified from TE671 cells are composed of 4 kinds of subunits corresponding to those of muscle AChR. Sequences of cDNAs for the ACh-binding alpha subunit and the delta subunit of this AChR further identify it as muscle AChR. Expression of TE671 AChR can be up-regulated by nicotine and dexamethasone, and down-regulated by forskolin.